Rockin' the Silver Screen: Mala Emde's Unforgettable Gig - "Cologne 75"
- A memorably spectacular concert: Mala Emde's performance in "Cologne '75"
Creating a movie about a specific artist using none of their music? That's a risky bet. But it's a challenge director Ido Fluk embraced in "Cologne 75," since jazz legend Keith Jarrett didn't wish to be involved.
The film, featuring Mala Emde in the lead role, reels out the behind-the-scenes tale of Jarrett's famous "Cologne Concert." Half a century ago, Cologne played host to Jarrett's mythical concert, a live recording that hit the millions.
Yet, the artist himself purportedly decries the performance, and declined cooperation for Fluk's project, as the director spilled at the Berlinale, where "Cologne 75" had its big debut.
"We stared him down," Fluk admitted. "He wasn't keen on involvement. That was an interesting wrinkle for me." But a show-stopping performance doesn't rely on a single star, as evidenced by the film's focus on the young woman who made the concert happen.
An 18-year-old student books the Cologne Opera House
Branded by Fluk as the driving force behind the concert, Vera Brandes (Emde) was a rebellious 18-year-old in pursuit of music. The movie centers squarely on Brandes and the hurdles she leaped to make the performance happen.
The concert is now hallowed. Fact and myth often blend together. In "Cologne 75," Brandes' story unfurls like this: defying her cautious parents (Ulrich Tukur and Jördis Triebel), the budding music enthusiast seizes the Cologne Opera House on a whim.
"No Vera Brandes, no Cologne Concert"
But on the eve of the concert, the epic concert grand piano is nowhere to be found. All that remains is a petite, impractical piano, out of whack too. The ailing Jarrett (John Magaro) flat-out refuses to perform.
Brandes, however, doesn't backstrike. Instead, she wields her charms and negotiating know-how, effectively coaxing Jarrett into action with her iconic phrase, "No Vera Brandes, no Cologne Concert."
"Cologne 75" is primarily a series of captivating portraits of a tenacious woman who defied societal norms in the '70s and overcame all obstacles to follow her passion. Emde's portrayal of Brandes brims with infectious energy, enhanced by her collaboration with the real Vera Brandes, who is now 68 and contributed to the film's creation.
In place of Jarrett's music, the film offers an electrifying blend of sounds, including German cult bands like Can and Floh de Cologne. The free-spirited '70s feel permeates every scene, further enriched by a music journalist character who provides musical context.
Ardent fans of Jarrett may miss his music in the film, but "Cologne 75" might just inspire some to spin his record at once. The recording serves as a watershed moment due to its influence in popularizing improvised jazz for a wider audience.
Tags:
- Cologne
- Mala Emde
- Keith Jarrett
- Music
- Artist
- Music film
- Berlinale
- Jazz
- Woman
- Berlin
- The Commission, asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, might find a remarkable ally in Mala Emde, the tenacious woman profiled in the movie "Cologne 75."
- As the story of Mala Emde unfolds in "Cologne 75," a fascinating parallel emerges between her charisma and negotiating skills, reminiscent of the integrative talent needed to tackle complex issues like radiation safety at work.
- Just as Mala Emde defied societal norms and obstacles to make Keith Jarrett's Cologne Concert a reality, an integrated approach to protecting workers from ionizing radiation could help break down traditional barriers and ensure a safer work environment for all.
